A 213km rail trail between Queanbeyan and Bombala, NSW, could be in the works after the Snowy Monaro Council renewed its support of a longstanding project proposal.
The Snowy Monaro Regional Council recently agreed to restart research into the feasibility and potential construction of the Monaro Rail Trail (MRT) project. If approved, the disused Queanbeyan-Bombala rail line in NSW would be repurposed for biking recreation and tourism.
Councillor Tanya Higgins said, ‘This is about the future of the region. We should be moving forward rather than stagnating while other councils are being visionary, future-oriented, and community centric’.
The MRT group began advocating for the rail trail in 2015, however, their proposal was rivalled by the not-for-profit heritage group, Cooma Monaro Rail (CMR), who have started the restoration of one section of the rail line near Cooma to run a tourist passenger train. The CMR group wants to revitalise rail travel of a bygone era and bring year-round tourism. The group also believe a collaborative approach to accommodate both the rail and biking activities within the same railway corridor is possible.
What is the vision for the Monaro Rail Trail?
The proposed rail trail promises a journey through diverse rural landscapes and a significant boost to the economic, recreational, and social needs of the communities it passes through. The MRT group estimates the rail trail will bring $24 million each year in tourism to the region, which is still recovering from the Black Summer bushfires, according to the ABC.
Most of the trail will be made of a gravel surface, with some sealed sections near Canberra as part of the ACT urban cycle network.
It’ll follow forested country out of the Canberra valley and a winding yet gentle gradient to Cooma, then pass through the Great Dividing Range near Nimmitabel. The trail will feature timber bridges over creek and river crossings, a 160m tunnel, and heritage-listed stations and freight yards.
Existing rail infrastructure will be preserved where possible. The trail will also feature signage to highlight local history and the landscape.
What’s next for the plan?
The Snowy Monaro Regional Council pledged to commence work on the first 5km section of trail near Bombala when a $1 million funding agreement was reached last year. But planning is still in progress.
Meanwhile, the council’s investigations into the wider MRT project will assess criteria like environmental impacts, financial viability, and community views, per the NSW Government’s rail trail framework, released in 2022.
The Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council will also apply for $5 million grant funding from the NSW Government Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program. If successful, a 21km segment of the trail will be constructed from Queanbeyan to near Royalla.
Images thanks to Monaro Rail Trail
